Time For Atlanta Falcons to Bench QB Desmond Ridder?

Is it time for the Atlanta Falcons to make a change at quarterback early in the season?

The good news for the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday? Running back Bijan Robinson excelled once again. The bad news? Quarterback Desmond Ridder did the opposite, and his team fell to the Jacksonville Jaguars 23-7 in London as a result.

Ridder's final stat line put him at 19-for-31 through the air with one score and two interceptions. He was also sacked four times, and his lone touchdown of the day came in the third quarter when Atlanta already trailed by 17. 

After playing his college ball with the Cincinnati Bearcats, Ridder was selected by the Falcons in the third round of the 2022 NFL Draft. Atlanta has likely had Ridder pegged as their future franchise quarterback since 2022, but has the time come for head coach Arthur Smith to consider moving in a different direction under center?

Oct 1, 2023; London, United Kingdom; Atlanta Falcons quarterback Desmond Ridder (9) releases the ball during the first half of an NFL International Series game at Wembley Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Peter van den Berg-USA TODAY Sports

The Falcons have potential to make some noise in the NFC South this season, especially if Bijan Robinson continues his rookie season tear. But without a successful quarterback, no NFL franchise will go far in a pass-driven league.

Modern offenses run through the quarterback position. If you don't have one, you're in trouble.

If Atlanta were to hypothetically make a move, Taylor Heinicke is currently "QB2" on the depth chart. Heinicke has been a journeyman in professional football since he finished his college career at Old Dominion, spending time with the Minnesota Vikings, New England Patriots, Houston Texans, Carolina Panthers, Washington Commanders and even the XFL's St. Louis Battlehawks before joining the roster in Atlanta.

That name may not spark excitement for the Birds, but Heinicke has been somewhat serviceable in the NFL, posting a career record of 12-12-1 and throwing for over 5,000 yards, the vast majority of which came with Washington.

If you're asking my opinion, I believe Ridder is still the "right choice" at quarterback, if there is one. But his leash is likely shorter now than it was when the season started. If the last two weeks turn into a prolonged habit, he may move from the field to the bench sooner rather than later.